Device for supporting and guiding a roll of paper in a calculating, accounting or like machine

ABSTRACT

In an accounting machine having an alphanumeric printing mechanism and a numeric printing mechanism the paper carriage for the alphanumeric mechanism is guided by a rail located to the rear of the numeric mechanism. This latter is adapted to print on a tally roll adapted to be housed in a substantially semicylindrical plate located under the guiding rail and provided with a set of parallel apertures for a set of rotatable rollers supporting the tally roll. The paper of the roll is so guided as to pass after printing along a path beneath said guide rail, a slit on the rear wall of said cover being provided for the exit of the printed paper of said roll.

United States Patent Franco Bretti Are'diCa1us0,Ital v [21] ,Appl Nov 718,133

[72] lnvcntnr [22] Filed Apr. 2,1968

[45 I Patented July 20, 1971 [73] Assignce Ing. C. Olivetti & Co., S.p.A.

lvrea, Turin, Italy [32] Priority Apr. 3,1967

[33] Italy [54] DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AND GUIDING A ROLL OF PAPER IN A CALCULATING, ACCOUNTING OR LIKE MACHINE 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] 1U.S.Cl 197/132,

197/133 R [51] lnt.Cl B4lj 15/22 [50] Field ofSearch 197/107,

969.915 9/1910 Steele 1 1 i 1 1. 197/132 1,280,678 10/1918 Clamecy 197/127 1,708,750. 4/1929 Anderson. 197/127 UX 2,241,797 5/1941 Weidner n 197/186 UX 2,355,796 8/1944 Gollwitzer.. 197/133 X 2,395,763 2/1946 Sagncr i 197/120 X 2,720,961 10/1955 Smith t 197/107 2,724,328 11/1955 Boyden et a1. .1 197/133 X 3,035,679 5/1962 Fondillerumu. 197/138 3,308,919 3/1967 Cunningham 197/186 FORElGN PATENTS 847,431 7/1939 France 197/133 466,720 6/1937 Great Britain 197/134 Primary ExaminerErnest T. Wright, Jr. Attorney-Kevin C. McMahon ABSTRACT: In an accounting machine having an alphanumeric printing mechanism and a numeric printing mechanism the paper carriage for the alphanumeric mechanism is guided by a rail located to the rear of the numeric mechanism. This latter is adapted to print on a tally roll adapted to be housed in a substantially semicylindrical plate located under the guiding rail and provided with a set of parallel apertures for a set of rotatable rollers supporting the tally roll. The paper of the roll is so guided as to pass after printing along a path beneath said guide rail, a slit on the rear wall of said cover being provided for the exit of the printed paper of said roll.

PATENTEU JUL 20 :97

SHEET 1 BF 2 .i laii lL INVENTOR. FRANCO BRETT W zy w AGENT PATENTED amzonsn SHEET 2 0F 2 3,593; 33

M 0 rq INVENTOR. FRANCO BRETTI AGENT DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING AND GUIDING A ROLL OF PAPER IN A CALCULATING, ACCOUNTING OR LIKE MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an accounting or like machine, having an alphanumeric printing mechanism, a document-supporting carriage, rail means for guiding said carriage along a rectilinear path for a transverse movement with respect to said printing mechanism to cause this latter to print in separate transverse positions of the document, a numeric printing mechanism located laterally adjacent to said alphanumeric printingmechanisrn, said numeric printing mechanism being operable for printing on a paper strip fed from a tally roll, and a strip-feeding mechanism for feeding said paper strip past said numeric printing mechanism. Accounting machines of the above type are normally formed of a typewriter controlled by a calculating machine, which is detached from the typewriter and is connected to the typewriter by means of cables in order to control the operation of the typewriter, whereby the alphanumeric printing device of the typewriter is not adjacent to the numeric printing device of the calculating machine.

There are known accounting machines where an alphanumeric printing device and a numeric printing device are located adjacent. However, both printing devices can type only on the same cylindrical platen, whereby they are unable to simultaneously print on an accounting document and on a paper strip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION and lying substantially forwards and downwards with respect to said rectilinear path, a substantially semicylindrical plate located under said rectilinear path, said plate forming a con cave seat for said tally roll, a machine casing including a cover located above said semicylindrical plate and rockable backwards, tunnel means mounted on said machine casing for guiding said paper strip from said numeric printing mechanism along another path located between said concave seat and said rectilinear path, thus enabling said paper carriage to be moved transversely to a superimposed relationship with respect to said tunnel means, a pair of plates forming a portion of said tunnel means and secured to said cover for allowing the insertion of a fresh tally roll into said concave seat by so rocking said cover, and a slit on the rear wall of said machine casing for the exit of said paper strip.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a plan view, partly in section, of an accounting machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a left-hand side view of the machine;

FIG. 3 is a partial section on a larger scale taken on the line III-III of FIG. I; and

FIG. 4 is a partial section from the left on the line IV-IVof FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The accounting machine is formed essentially by the combination of an electric typewriter with a printing electronic calculator. Referring to FIG. I, the reference 4 indicates generally the alphanumeric keyboard of the typewriter, which includes an alphanumeric printing device comprising typelevers. These are guided at the printing point by a type guiding 6. The latter is rotatable on a carriage indicated generally by the reference 7. The carriage 7 comprises two prismatic guides 8 (FIG. 2) slidable transversely along a rectilinear path with the aid of rolling elements 9 on two fixed prismatic guide rails 10.

The electronic calculator comprises a ten key keyboard II (FIG. 1) and a group of function keys I2. Moreover, the elec tronic calculator is equipped with a numerical printing device comprising a type drum 13 (FIGS. 3 and 4) secured to a shaft 13' continuously rotatable on the machine frame. The drum 13 cooperates with a hammer I4 carried by a slide 15 movable transversely in front of the drum 13, in the manner described in the US. Pat. No. 3,331,3l 6.

Between the hammer I4 and the drum 13 there is disposed the usual paper strip 16, which is unwound from a tally roll 17 (FIG. 3). To enable the carriage 7 to move to the right although the typewriter is adjacent the calculator, the roll 17 is disposed below the path of the carriage 7 in a concave seat including a substantially semicylindrical curved sheet metal plate 18. The plate 18 is fixed at its two extreme edges to two rods 19 fixed to two side plates 20 of the machine. The plate 18 is moreover provided with a series of apertures 21 (FIG. 1) each defined by two bent strips 22 housing a pin 23 on which a roller 24 (FIG. 3) is rotatable.

Each sideplate 20 is provided with an arm 25 to which a guide rod 26 for the paper strip I6 is fixed. Fulcrumed on the rod 26 are two levers 27 each connected to the respective arm 25 by a spring 28. The two levers 27 are connected by a bar 29 which normally keeps the paper strip ll6 under tension by the action of the springs 28.

Disposed at the two sides of the type drum 13 are two cylindrical members or knurled wheels 30 having a diameter sub-. stantially equal slightly greater to that of the type drum l3 and adapted to be rotated independently of the type drum l3 and in synchronism with one another to control the line spacing of the paper strip 16. The wheels 30 can moreover be rotated continuously when a key 52 carried by a shank 35 is depressed, in the manner described in the above-mentioned patent with reference to the key indicated therein by the reference 139.

The arrangement for guiding the paper strip 16 moreover comprises an arcuate plate formed of a convex paper-guiding cradle 32 disposed below and to the rear of the type drum l3 and the wheels 30. The cradle 32 has two bent arms 33, each fulcrumed on a fixed pin 34, and two paper-pressing rollers 36 disposed at the two sides of the cradle 32. A spring 37 anchored to a bent lug 38 of the cradle 32 normally holds the rollers 36 in contact with the wheels 30.

The left-hand arm 33 (FIG. 4) has a shoulder 42 which can cooperate with a lug 45 of a lever 44 pivoted on a fixed pin 46.

The paper strip 16 is further guided by a fixed guide 62 and I by a series of rollers 63 rotatable on a fixed shaft or rod 64. To avoid the carriage 7 (FIG. 3) encountering the paper strip 16 on the carriage 7 moving to the right, the paper strip 16 is guided after printing in a tunnel means or passage generally indicated by the reference 65 and arranged below the path of the carriage 7. More particularly, the machine casing comprises a cover 68 integral with two arms 67 and made of plastic material. The arms 67 can rotate on two pins 66 fixed to the two sideplates 20. The cover 68 (FIG. I) has at the front end on top an opening 7] closed at the front by a metal section 72 by which it rests against an edge 73 of a front wall 74 (FIG. 3) of the casing of the machine. Fixed in the section 72 is a transparent window 79 provided with a serrated edge 81 to enable the strip 16 to be cut.

The cover 68 is moreover provided with two projections 82 to which a plate 83 is fixed. To another two projections 84 (FIG. 1) of the cover 68 there is fixed a rod 85 on which two lugs 86 (FIG. 3) of a second plate 87 can turn. The plate 87 is provided forwardly with a manipulative portion or front edge. A spring 89 anchored to each lug 86 keeps the plate 87 bearing against a shoulder 91 of the cover 68 so as to form with the plate 83 a first part of the tunnel means 65. The plates 83 and 87 form a leading part of the tunnel means 65.

On the rod 85 there is fixed a bent edge 92 of another plate 93, which is fixed by means of two screws 94 (FIG. 1) to two lateral projections 95 of the cover 68. To another two projections 96 of the cover 68 there is similarly fixed another plate 97 disposed in such manner as to form with the plate 93 another part of the tunnel means 65 (FIG. 3) located over the curved plate 18. Behind the plates 93 and 97 there are arranged another two plates 98, 99 fixed by means of projections 100, 101 (FIG. 1) in corresponding slots in the side plates in such a manner as to form another part of the tunnel means 65.

The casing of the machine has to the rear of the plates 98 and 99 an inclined portion 103 terminating in a vertical portion 104 (FIG. 3). This last-mentioned portion 104 is offset to the rear with respect to a backwall 106 in such manner as to form with the latter an exit slit 107 for the paper strip 16.

To replace the tally roll of paper 17, it is necessary first of all to move the carriage 7 (FIG. I) fully to the left. The cover 68 (FIG. 3) is then raised by turning it over to the rear about the pins 66. After placing the fresh tally roll 17 on the plate 18, the key 31 (FIG. 4) is depressed, as a result of which the stud 49 causes the lever 44 to rotate in a clockwise direction. The lug 53 then clicks into the notch 54 of the latch 56, while the lug 43 causes the arm 33 to rotate in a clockwise direction together with the cradle 32, as a result of which the rollers 36 are moved away from the wheels 30.

The paper strip 16 is then passed around the bar 29, the rod 26, between the cradle 32 and the type drum 13 and around the guide 62 and the rollers 63. If it is foreseen that the carriage 7 (FIG. 3) of the typewriter will not be transversely moved while operating the machine, the strip 16 is brought out between the edge 81 of the transparent window 79 and the front edges of the plates 83 and 87, The cover 68 is then placed in position again and the key 52 (FIG. 4) is depressed through a predetermined portion of its total travel. The key 52 acts by means of the lug 61 on the lug 58 of the latch 56, which new releases the lever 44. The spring 48, bringing the lever 44 back to its inoperative position,'allows the cradle 32 to bear against the wheels again by means of the rollers 36, as a result of which the machine can be used as a conventional calculating machine.

If, on the other hand, it is intended also to transversely move the carriage 7 (FIG. 3) of the typewriter, it is necessary, after placing the cover 68 in position again, to introduce the leading edge or free end of the strip 16 between the plates 83 and 87. To this end, the front edge of the plate 87 is pulled by hand to rotate the plate 87 about the rod 85 against the action of the springs 89.

After releasing the plate 87, the key 52 (FIG. 4) is now depressed as in the preceding case, thus causing the cradle 32 to return to the position shown in FIG. 3. When the line spacing of the strip 16 is then effected, the strip 16 advances within the tunnel means 65 until it encounters the inclined portion 103 of the casing. The strip 16 is then deflected downwards and emerges from the slit 107.

If the strip 16 is already partly printed on, after it has been inserted between the plates 83 and 87 the key 52 is depressed for a greater distance than in the preceding case. In the second part of its stroke, the key 52 in the manner described in the cited U.S. Pat. No. 3,33l,3l6 is arranged to cause repeated line spacing whereby the strip 16 advances rapidly within the tunnel means 65.

Iclaim:

1. An accounting or like machine, having an alphanumeric printing mechanism, a carriage for supporting a document, rail means for guiding said carriage along a rectilinear path for a transverse movement with respect to said alphanumeric printing mechanism to cause said alphanumeric printing mechanism to print in separate transverse positions of the document, a numeric printing mechanism located laterally adjacent to said alphanumeric printing mechanism, said numeric printing mechanism being operable for printing a paper strip fed from a tally roll, and a strip-feeding mechanism for feeding said paper strip past said numeric printing mechanism, wherein the improvement comprises:

a. at least a first cylindrical member included in said strip feeding mechanism for guiding the paper strip, said cylindrical member being rotatable for advancing said paper strip and lying substantially forwards and downwards with respect to said rectilinear path,

b. a substantially semicylindrical plate located under said rectilinear path, said plate forming a concave seat for said tally roll,

c. a machine casing including a rear wall and a cover located above said semicylindrical plate and rockablc backwards,

d. tunnel means mounted on said machine casing for guiding said paper strip from said numeric printing mechanism along another path located between said concave seat and said rectilinear path, thus enabling said carriage to be moved transversely to a superimposed relationship with respect to said tunnel means,

e. a first pair of guiding plates forming a portion of said tunnel means and secured to said cover for allowing the insertion of a fresh tally roll into said concave seat by so rocking said cover, and

f. a slit on the rear wall of said machine casing for the exit of said paper strip.

2. An accounting or like machine according to claim 1 further comprising:

g. a set of parallel apertures provided at different angular positions on said semicylindrical plate, said apertures being arranged in said semicylindrical plate in at least one circumferential row,

h. a set of parallel pine mounted on said semicylindrical plate in correspondence with said apertures, and

i. a set of rollers each one mounted on one of said pins and freely rotatable with respect to said semicylindrical plate, said rollers entering the corresponding apertures of said semicylindrical plate and having such a diameter as to engage the external surface of said tally roll in said concave seat at a small distance from the internal surface of said semicylindrical plate.

3. An accounting or like machine according to claim I, having another cylindrical member included in said strip-feeding mechanism and axially distanced from said first cylindrical member, and a rotatable type drum comprised in said numeric printing mechanism and located coaxially with said cylindrical members, said cylindrical members being formed of a pair of knurled wheels having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said type drum, said type drum being continuously rotatable independently from said knurled wheels, wherein the improvement comprises:

g. an arcuate plate embracing said knurled wheels and said type drum and pivotally mounted and yieldably urged towards said knurled wheels for guiding said paper strip from said tally roll towards said type drum,

h. a control member operable for rockably moving said arcuate plate away from said knurled wheels to facilitate the insertion of said paper strip around said knurled wheels,

i. a first key depressible for operating said control member,

j. latching means for latching said control member in the operated position, and

k. a second key depressible for rendering ineffective said latching means.

6 4. An accounting or like machine according toclaim l, guiding plates with respect to the other plate of saidfurther comprising: second pair of guiding plates, and

l'. a second pair of guiding plates comprised in said tunnel n. a manipulative portion integral with said tiltable plate and means and carried by :oye aid second pair of guid. operable to tilt said tiltable plate 5'0 21S 10 facilitate [b6 ll'ling plates being so located as to form a leading part of 5 Sermon of leadmg edge of 531d P p StrlP mm Said said tunnel means, meansm. means for tiltably mounting one of said second pair of 

1. An accounting or like machine, having an alphanumeric printing mechanism, a carriage for supporting a document, rail means for guiding said carriage along a rectilinear path for a transverse movement with respect to said alphanumeric printing mechanism to cause said alphanumeric printing mechanism to print in separate transverse positions of the document, a numeric printing mechanism located laterally adjacent to said alphanumeric printing mechanism, said numeric printing mechanism being operable for printing a paper strip fed from a tally roll, and a strip-feeding mechanism for feeding said paper strip past said numeric printing mechanism, wherein the improvement comprises: a. at least a first cylindrical member included in said strip feeding mechanism for guiding the paper strip, said cylindrical member being rotatable for advancing said paper strip and lying substantially forwards and downwards with respect to said rectilinear path, b. a substantially semicylindrical plate located under said rectilinear path, said plate forming a concave seat for said tally roll, c. a machine casing including a rear wall and a cover located above said semicylindrical plate and rockable backwards, d. tunnel means mounted on said machine casing for guiding said paper strip from said numeric printing mechanism along another path located between said concave seat and said rectilinear path, thus enabling said carriage to be moved transversely to a superimposed relationship with respect to said tunnel means, e. a first pair of guiding plates forming a portion of said tunnel means and secured to said cover for allowing the insertion of a fresh tally roll into said concave seat by so rocking said cover, and f. a slit on the rear wall of said machine casing for the exit of said paper strip.
 2. An accounting or like machine according to claim 1 further comprising: g. a set of parallel apertures provided at different angular positions on said semicylindrical plate, said apertures being arranged in said semicylindrical plate in at least one circumferential row, h. a set of parallel pine mounted on said semicylindrical plate in correspondence with said apertures, and i. a set of rollers each one mounted on one of said pins and freely rotAtable with respect to said semicylindrical plate, said rollers entering the corresponding apertures of said semicylindrical plate and having such a diameter as to engage the external surface of said tally roll in said concave seat at a small distance from the internal surface of said semicylindrical plate.
 3. An accounting or like machine according to claim 1, having another cylindrical member included in said strip-feeding mechanism and axially distanced from said first cylindrical member, and a rotatable type drum comprised in said numeric printing mechanism and located coaxially with said cylindrical members, said cylindrical members being formed of a pair of knurled wheels having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of said type drum, said type drum being continuously rotatable independently from said knurled wheels, wherein the improvement comprises: g. an arcuate plate embracing said knurled wheels and said type drum and pivotally mounted and yieldably urged towards said knurled wheels for guiding said paper strip from said tally roll towards said type drum, h. a control member operable for rockably moving said arcuate plate away from said knurled wheels to facilitate the insertion of said paper strip around said knurled wheels, i. a first key depressible for operating said control member, j. latching means for latching said control member in the operated position, and k. a second key depressible for rendering ineffective said latching means.
 4. An accounting or like machine according to claim 1, further comprising: l. a second pair of guiding plates comprised in said tunnel means and carried by said cover, said second pair of guiding plates being so located as to form a leading part of said tunnel means, m. means for tiltably mounting one of said second pair of guiding plates with respect to the other plate of said second pair of guiding plates, and n. a manipulative portion integral with said tiltable plate and operable to tilt said tiltable plate so as to facilitate the insertion of the leading edge of said paper strip into said tunnel means. 